Ethanol - from the field to your fuel tank
Ethanol is a biodegradable liquid alcohol distilled from renewable plant matter, such as wheat or corn. It is used in vehicles as a fuel, a fuel additive or a fuel extender.
In the 1980s, Minnedosa, Manitoba was the site of Canada's first ethanol plant. Today, the province continues its leadership role by being among the first to mandate the use of ethanol blends in our gas.
Effective January 1, 2008, gasoline sold in the province was required to be blended with ethanol.
Additional resources
Manitoba's Ethanol ProgramGood for your car
Ethanol has been tested and accepted by auto manufactures since 1979. Today, all manufacturers approve it for warranty and some actually recommend the use of 10 per cent ethanol-blended gasoline.Ethanol offers many benefits:
- It works to clean the fuel injection system.
- It burns cleanly, reducing buildup to help keep engines running smoothly.
- It is an octane enhancer, boosting fuel octane by two points.
- It absorbs condensation, eliminating the need for gas line antifreeze.
Ethanol is effective for any type of gasoline engine. In addition to cars, most major manufacturers of motorcycles, snowmobiles, outboard motors and power equipment such as lawn mowers, snow blowers and chainsaws permit the use of ethanol in their products.
Additional resources
Ethanol and Automobile EnginesEthanol and Small Engines
Good for the environment
Since transportation is the largest source of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, expanded use of ethanol has the potential to reduce these emissions and slow climate change. Mandating the use of ethanol blends could reduce Manitoba's consumption of gasoline by approximately 150 million litres annually, while also cutting greenhouse gas emissions by over 135,000 tonnes annually.Replacing 10 per cent of gas with ethanol makes a significant difference:
- It reduces a car's greenhouse gas emissions by 5 per cent
- It reduces carbon monoxide from the tailpipe by up to 25 per cent
- It reduces emissions of particulates, which contribute to smog and respiratory problems, by up to 32 per cent.
- It displaces a number of toxic gasoline components, such as the carcinogen benzene.
Ethanol production in Manitoba is also environmentally friendly. Today's technology has dramatically improved production efficiency, using less water and power. Because our plants are powered with clean, renewable hydroelectricity, made-in-Manitoba ethanol is the cleanest grain-based ethanol in North America. The bottom line: from sowing the seed to filling the tank, Manitoba-made ethanol results in substantially more energy gained than is required to produce it.
Additional resources
Ethanol, Energy and the EnvironmentGood for the economy
A recently completed $200 million Husky Energy plant in Minnedosa will produce over 130 million litres annually. Increased ethanol production has far-reaching benefits for Manitoba's economy.Industry expansion will boost the construction industry in rural Manitoba while the plants will create long-term employment.
Ethanol production will create a new market for about 420,000 tonnes of Manitoba wheat annually. That represents between 7 and 13 per cent of the province's production. In most cases, high-yielding feed crop varieties are used for ethanol production.
The production process uses only the starch portion of the grain and the co-product, distiller's grain (DG), is a valuable high-protein livestock feed. Having access to reasonably priced local DG means savings for livestock producers, who currently import over one-quarter million tonnes of soybean meal a year. At the same time, selling the feed will offset the cost of ethanol production.
Manitoba drivers will pay no more at the pumps than they would for regular gas. After federal and provincial ethanol incentives are applied, the cost of ethanol to marketers will be about the same as regular gasoline and, in some cases, even less.
As ethanol production technology and plant efficiency improves, ethanol prices will become even more competitive with gasoline.
Direct production costs aside, imported oil adds to our trade deficit, while producing ethanol creates jobs and adds value to grain. Burning gasoline harms the environment, while growing grain for ethanol produces oxygen. So, looking at the big picture, the cost of ethanol production is more than offset by the benefits to our environment and our economy.
Additional resources
Biofuels: Food and FuelFor more specific information on ethanol legislation, regulations or proper fuel storage, vist the Manitoba Ethanol Office website.
